Notwithstanding G.S. 160A-63, vacancies that occur in any elective office of the City shall be filled by election as herein provided:
(a) If the vacancy occurs within 90 days before the first date for filing notices of candidacy pursuant to G.S. 163-294.2 for the next regular City election, a successor shall be elected at the next regular City election. The elected successor shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term of the office in which the vacancy occurs.
(b) If the vacancy occurs more than 90 days before the first date for filing notices of candidacy pursuant to G.S. 163-294.2 for the next regular City election, a successor shall be elected in a special election to fill the vacancy. In such event, the Council shall meet within 10 days of the event creating the vacancy and shall, by resolution, fix the date on which an election to fill the vacancy shall be held. The date of the special election shall be not less than 45 days and not more than 60 days from the date of the adoption of the resolution. Not less than two legal notices of the special election and the filing period for receipt of notices of candidacy shall be published in a qualified newspaper of general circulation in the City with the period between the first date of publication and the second date of publication to be seven days, excluding the first date of publication but including the second date of publication. The resolution shall set the filing period for notices of candidacy, but same shall not be less than 10 days from, but excluding, the first date of publication of the legal notice of the special election and filing period for receipt of notices of candidacy. The resolution shall also set the runoff date, if necessary, and same shall be not less than 15 days and not more than 21 days from the election. The elected successor in the special election shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term of the office in which the vacancy occurs.
(c) If by reason of a vacancy there shall be two seats within any ward to be filled in the same election, the candidates shall declare for the specific seat or office that the candidate is seeking in the notice of candidacy. Each seat shall be a single office and the successor elected as provided in G.S. 163-293(a)(l) and (b)(1).